Avionics Test Engineer
Vast · Long Beach, California, United States · Posted Jul 2, 2026
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At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. Vast is developing next-generation space stations to ensure a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and unlocking a new space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Using an incremental, hardware-rich and low-cost approach, Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Next, Haven-1 is expected to become the world’s first commercial space station when it launches, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. Our team is all-in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time. If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us.
Vast is looking for an Avionics Test Engineer, reporting to the Manager of Avionics Testing , to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. Use this space to describe the role and sell the candidate on the cool stuff they would get to work on.
This will be a full-time , exempt position located in our L ong Beach location.
Responsibilities:
Design, build, and commission test systems for avionics systems and associated electronics hardware
Work with Responsible Engineers across the organization to capture test requirements for avionics test systems
Develop component and system level test cases, implement them on test systems and validate their outputs with internal stakeholders
Perform troubleshooting and debug of avionics test systems
Lead test system design reviews for avionics test systems
Lead and coach efforts to troubleshooting and debug efforts across the wider team
Produce documentation for test systems and support handover to test operators
Support architecting the automated test framework for Vast overall, and lead local efforts to implement on avionics test systems
Work with subject matter experts to develop and implement interfaces to co-simulation strategies for Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) applications
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering or other hard science
2+ years of post bachelor’s experience working with and developing hardware test systems
1+ years experience working with either C++ or python
Experience operating and maintaining linux systems, including confident use of command line tools
Experience designing and building systems with a modular DAQ ecosystem (e.g. NI, Weidmuller, Bechoff)
Familiarity with basic electrical and wiring concepts including grounding and electrical safety
Preferred Skills Experience:
Strong documentation and communication skills
Hands-on experience with product testing
Experience with testing protocols and standards relevant to space systems
Experience coordinating and/or supervising the outputs of other engineers
Experience developing applications in python
Familiarity with Git, Cmake, and GNU tools
Knowledge of CI/CD and issue tracking tools such as the Atlassian Suite (JIRA, Bitbucket, Confluence) and Github
Understanding of Linux kernel software and drivers
Experience with Embedded Systems
Fault-tolerant and safety-critical software design
Experience developing software for complex systems such as spacecraft, aircraft or autonomous vehicles
Network programming experience
Experience working with satellite communications or telemetry systems
Familiarity with power supplies, electronic loads, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and digital multimeters
Additional Requirements:
Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted
Pay Range:
Avionics Test Engineer II: $120,540-$171,108
Senior Avionics Test Engineer: $147,600-$209,520
Pay Range: California
$120,540 $209,520 USD
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package. Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, generous paid time off; up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days of vacation for non-exempt staff with the ability to cash-out unused vacation annually, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks. We also take pride in offering exceptional food p…